EU Right to Repair directive takes effect today

The EU’s Right to Repair directive came into force on July 31, 2026, requiring manufacturers of smartphones, tablets and key household appliances to offer repairs within a reasonable time and at a reasonable price.

Companies must publish free repair manuals and disclose clear spare-part costs. Buyers who get a product repaired will see their legal warranty extended by one year.

The rules cover washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, smartphones, tablets, server equipment, e-bikes and e-scooters. Vacuum cleaners are excluded and will face separate requirements later.

Many of the EU’s 27 member states have yet to transpose the directive into national law, so tangible changes are likely months away.

The initiative is part of a broader push for a sustainable economy and is separate from upcoming removable-battery laws, which are due in 2027 and expected to prompt a more repairable version of the Switch 2.